Methods and apparatus for imaging agents for disease detection

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for identifying disease status according to various aspects of the present invention include delivering one or more imaging agents to all or parts of the body for disease observation, screening and/or detection. The methods and apparatus may deliver imaging agents that include any suitable disease-associated compositions, such as riboflavin carrier protein (RCP) and/or RCP modifications and antibodies thereof, labeled with an imaging label. In one embodiment, the imaging agents may be delivered to a selected site or sites in the body and subsequently observed using an imaging method. In another embodiment, the imaging agents may be delivered throughout the body for screening applications. In yet another embodiment, the imaging agents may be delivered throughout the body to detect a reduction and/or increase in cellular metabolism.

1 . A composition for an imaging agent, comprising:
 a disease-associated composition; and   an imaging label configured to associate with at least one of the disease-associated composition and a complement of the disease-associated composition.   
   
   
       2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the disease-associated composition comprises at least one of a protein, a hormone, and sub-unit of the protein, wherein the protein is configured to at least one of facilitate cellular metabolism and comprise a by-product of cellular metabolism. 
   
   
       3 . The composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the protein comprises riboflavin carrier protein. 
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the disease-associated composition is at least one of produced, generated and present at or near the site of the disease in a non-linear relationship to an amount of glucose in at least one of a cancerous cell and a non-cancerous cell. 
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the disease-associated composition is configured to at least one of be present, accumulated, and generated at least one of at and near a site of a disease. 
   
   
       6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the disease comprises a cancer. 
   
   
       7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the complement of the disease-associated composition comprises at least one of an antibody to the disease-associated composition, an antibody to a receptor for the disease-associated composition, and an antibody to a subunit of the disease-associated composition. 
   
   
       8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the imaging label comprises at least one of a radiopharmaceutical and a contrast agent. 
   
   
       9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the radiopharmaceutical is configured for use in conjunction with positron emission tomography. 
   
   
       10 . A method for observing a disease in a body comprising:
 obtaining an imaging agent comprising a disease-associated composition and an imaging label, wherein the imaging label is configured to at least one of bind and associate with at least one of the disease-associated composition and a complement of the disease-associated composition;   delivering the imaging agent to the body; and   observing the imaging agent in the body.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the imaging label and the disease-associated composition are delivered to separate points of the body. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the imaging label is configured to bind to at least one of the disease-associated composition and the complement of the disease associated composition prior to delivery of the imaging agent to the body. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the imaging agent is observed through an imaging method comprising at least one of positron emission tomography, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and scintigraphy. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the imaging label is configured to attach to at least one of the disease-associated composition and the complement of the disease associated composition near a site of the disease in the body. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the disease-associated composition is at least one of produced, generated and present at or near the site of the disease in a non-linear relationship to an amount of glucose uptake in at least one of a cancerous cell and a non-cancerous cell. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the imaging agent comprises the complement of the disease-associated composition, and wherein the imaging agent is configured to bind to at least one of the disease-associated composition. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the imaging agent is observed through positron emission tomography; and   the imaging agent is configured to at least one of bind and associate with riboflavin carrier protein that is at least one of produced at and collected near a site of the disease.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the riboflavin carrier protein is collected near the site of the disease, and wherein the use of positron emission tomography provides a signal to noise ratio of about 5:1. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the riboflavin carrier protein is produced at the site of the disease, and wherein the use of positron emission tomography provides a signal to noise ratio of about 1000:1. 
   
   
       20 . An imaging agent for cancer detection comprising:
 at least one of riboflavin carrier protein, a sub-unit of the riboflavin carrier protein, an antibody to the sub-unit of the riboflavin carrier protein, and an antibody to the riboflavin carrier protein; and   an imaging label configured to bind with the at least one of the riboflavin carrier protein, a sub-unit of the riboflavin carrier protein, an antibody to the sub-unit of the riboflavin carrier protein, and an antibody to the riboflavin carrier protein.